Understand Raccoon Behavior
Before you can effectively use cayenne pepper to rid your property of raccoons, it is important to understand the behavior of raccoons. These pests are clever and will get around most deterrents. Knowing how raccoons live, travel, and feed can help you identify problem areas and find solutions to deter them from coming back. With an understanding of raccoon behavior, you can determine the best course of action to remove them from your property.
Learn about raccoon habits and behavior
Raccoons may look cute, but they can pose serious threats if they enter your home or property. It’s important to understand raccoon behavior so you can protect yourself and your property. Raccoons are mostly active at night and during dawn/dusk hours and their peak activity is usually in the summer months when food supplies are plentiful.
Raccoons generally search for food in two ways – foraging or scavenging. Foraging is when raccoons search for berries, nuts, insects, and other primates found on land while scavenging refers to searching through garbage cans, dumpsters, compost bin and any other non-secured food source that is accessible to them. Raccoon populations can reach large numbers when humans provide an abundance of food sources such as unintentional handouts of pet food or leftovers from outdoor barbecues.
Raccoon activity varies depending on the time of year and season, with increased activity during mating season (February – April) when male raccoons can become particularly aggressive as they mark their territory with urine and feces. During fall (August – October) they will be busy stockpiling food for the winter months by gathering nuts, berries, fruits and seeds which they will store in their dens or underground caches.
In rare cases this scavenging behavior can extend into residential areas leading to serious property damage as raccoons attempt to gain access through roofs or chimneys in order to reach attic spaces or den locations where they will make a comfortable home. Often times homeowners attempt ineffective methods such as cayenne pepper spray in hopes of deterring the pests instead of utilizing more practical solutions like trapping that permanently removes them from the premises.
Identify raccoon activity in your area
Identifying raccoon activity in your area is essential when you are trying to get rid of them using cayenne pepper. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures and their activity peaks during the night, but it’s possible to tell if they’ve been around during the day as well.
Raccoons will leave behind evidence of their presence such as droppings, footprints and scratches on surfaces. Also, look for what they eat. Raccoons will rummage through trash cans, dig up vegetable gardens or eat pet food that is left out.
Raccoon families will often occupy an area for a period of years since female raccoons become mature at about 1 year old and may have up to 4 litters each year. Pay attention if you notice patterns in the same location repeatedly over time since this could indicate an existing family or a new breeding ground for a wide range of animals including skunks, foxes and squirrels.
Monitoring your local wildlife is key to understanding raccoon behavior in any environment and ultimately knowing when it’s time to take action with cayenne pepper or other forms of pest control methods.
Prepare the Cayenne Pepper
Using cayenne pepper to kill raccoons is a popular method of pest control. To successfully use cayenne pepper to rid your garden or yard of raccoons, you must first prepare the cayenne pepper in the correct way. Preparing the cayenne pepper correctly will make sure that it has the desired effect and that your garden is rid of the raccoons in a humane way. Let’s take a look at how to prepare the cayenne pepper for this purpose.
Purchase cayenne pepper
For this method, you’ll need to purchase cayenne pepper. Many hardware stores and home improvement centers carry cayenne pepper that comes in a powdered form and can be easily sprinkled around the area. You may want to look for organic, non-GMO cayenne pepper to ensure that it is of the highest quality. Once you have purchased the cayenne pepper, make sure that it is dry before you begin spraying it around the raccoon’s den or anywhere else you think they may be residing.
Mix the cayenne pepper with water
In order to mix the cayenne pepper with water, you will first need to measure out the desired amount of cayenne pepper. When adding cayenne pepper, it is important to follow a standard ratio. If you are using fresh pepper pods or fresh peppers that have been seeded and finely chopped, the general ratio for this mixture is one part cayenne pepper to eight parts water. For example if you measure out one tablespoon of cayenne pepper you would then add eight tablespoons of water, which would yield approximately nine tablespoons in total.
Once the desired measurements are added, you can mix these ingredients with a spoon while stirring until they form a homogenous paste. You can also use an immersion blender set on low speed to mix together the ingredients until they form a smooth liquid blend. This spicy blend can be used as an accompaniment to Mexican dishes such as quesadillas or tacos and for adding heat and flavor to sauces and soups. When using this blend it is important to note that it does not contain any preservatives so it should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for later use if needed.
Place the mixture in a spray bottle
Once you have made the cayenne pepper mixture, you will need to transfer it into a spray bottle. Choose an empty spray bottle that is large enough to hold the amount of liquid you will be using. Fill the spray bottle with the spice and water combination, shaking it lightly and then firmly tapping it on a flat surface before using in order to distribute any air bubbles within. If you would prefer, you may also add a few drops of liquid detergent or dish soap as a surfactant, as this will help to suspend the pepper particles more easily within the mixture. Once you have completed these steps, your cayenne pepper mixture is now ready for use.
Apply the Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper can be an effective way to kill raccoons that are invading your property. Sprinkling cayenne pepper in areas where raccoons are likely to pass can be a safe and humane way to rid your property of these pests. This method works because the cayenne pepper irritates the eyes and nose of the raccoon, making the area unlivable for them. Let’s look at how to apply cayenne pepper to your property to keep raccoons away.
Spray the mixture around the area where the raccoons are active
Spraying a mixture of Cayenne pepper around the areas that raccoons are active is an effective deterrent method. To make the spray, mix two tablespoons of pure Cayenne pepper powder, or two tablespoons of hot sauce, with one gallon of water and then strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a paper towel to remove any large pieces that would clog the spray bottle nozzle. Once strained, pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Use caution when applying this spray, as it can be quite pungent and may irritate your eyes and skin. Be sure to read all instructions and take necessary safety precautions before application.
When spraying the area where raccoons are active, apply liberally to surfaces where they congregate such as decks, walls, trees and garbage cans. You may also want to use a ladder so you can apply directly to rafters or eaves and other higher points where they travel along regularly. You may need several applications over several days in order for it to be effective in deterring their presence; however with proper application your results should be evident in just 2-3 days.
Monitor the area for raccoon activity
When attempting to rid an area of raccoons with cayenne pepper, it is important to first monitor the area for raccoon activity. Raccoons are most active at night and tend to be intimidated by bright lights, so setting up floodlights and motion-sensor lights in the affected area is a good way to start. These lights will both deter raccoons from returning and alert homeowners when they enter the property.
Additionally, search for signs that a raccoon has been recently in the area. Look for footprints in wet or muddy areas, overturned garbage bins or composters, digging or claw marks in the lawn, or various types of debris like fur and feces. If possible, try to identify which type of animal is causing damage as cayenne pepper may not be an effective solution against all types of pests; squirrels and rabbits tend to move away quickly without need for any additional measures. Once you’ve positively identified your intruder as a raccoon and using other methods have been unsuccessful in removing them from your property, applying cayenne pepper may be an effective solution.
Clean Up
When killing raccoons with cayenne pepper, it is important to clean up after you’re done. Raccoons can spread disease, so you want to make sure that you dispose of any materials you’ve used for the procedure in a safe and responsible manner. You should also make sure that the area around your house is kept clean and free from any food sources that could attract raccoons. This includes clearing away garbage, garbage cans, and any outdoor pet food.
Clean up the cayenne pepper mixture
In order to clean up the cayenne pepper mixture, it is important to carefully follow a few steps. First, you should use a spoon to scoop away any large chunks of cayenne pepper from the surface of whatever container you are using. Once you have removed these larger pieces, you can then proceed to wipe down the container with a damp cloth or paper towel. This is done in order to remove any residual particles of cayenne pepper which may still be present on the surface. Afterwards, it is recommended that you rinse off the container with running water and use a brush if needed in order to ensure that all remaining particles are removed and that is completely cleaned out. Finally, when finished cleaning up the cayenne pepper mixture it should be stored in an airtight container in order to maintain its freshness and keep out any unwanted pests or contaminants which may come into contact with it over time.
Dispose of the cayenne pepper in a safe and responsible manner
After using cayenne pepper to keep raccoons away, it is important to properly dispose of the peppers in order to prevent any harm to yourself and the environment. Avoid getting cayenne pepper in your eyes or breathing in any particles while disposing of the product.
First, sweep up any loose powder using a dustpan and brush. Pour the pepper into a double bagged plastic garbage container before throwing out with regular household trash. Also check for any contaminated clothing or rags that may need cleaning and airing out completely before reuse.
If handling large batches of cayenne pepper or disposing of them outdoors, it is best to wear protective gear such as gloves, a protective face mask, closed toe shoes, and long pants. To minimize exposure outdoors, wet down the area with water prior to sweeping the peppers away. Afterward use heavy equipment such as a rake or shovel to collect the remaining material for disposal in an approved container for hazardous chemical waste or landfill collection receptacle if permitted by local regulations.
